By Chimaobi Afiauwa, Abuja
Reports have emerged on Monday indicating that Dr. Betta Edu, the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, was prevented from meeting President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
President Tinubu’s decision to suspend the minister came amidst controversies surrounding financial transactions she oversaw within her ministry.
Edu faced allegations of financial improprieties related to approving payments totaling around N585 million into the private accounts of civil servants, reportedly responsible for handling grants for vulnerable Nigerians.
Despite arriving at the Presidential Villa shortly after her suspension was announced, intending to assuage Mr. President on the matter, Edu encountered obstacles when attempting to see him in his office.
Although she cleared all security checks leading to the president’s office, she was barred from meeting with him.
Moreover, her access pass to the villa was promptly revoked by the president’s security team.
She was also escorted out of the president’s office in a State House security Toyota Hilux truck.
As at the time of this news report, it remains unclear whether Edu was later allowed to use her official vehicle to leave the premises of the Presidential Villa.
